rather

adverb

rath·​er ˈra-t͟hər 

ˈrä-,

ˈrə-,

 also  ˈre-;

 interjectionally  ˈra-ˈt͟hər,

ˈrä-,

ˈrə-

1

: with better reason or more propriety : more properly

this you should pity rather than despise

—William Shakespeare

2

: more readily or willingly : preferably

I'd rather not go

would rather read than watch television

—often used interjectionally to express affirmation

3

: more correctly speaking

my father, or rather my stepfather

4

: to the contrary : instead

was no better but rather grew worse

—Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)

5

: in some degree : somewhat

it's rather warm

—often used as a mild intensive

spent rather a lot of money

Phrases

the rather

archaic : the more quickly or readily

Synonyms

• fain
• first
• preferably
• readily
• soon
• willingly

Examples of rather in a Sentence

The movie is a comedy, but rather a dull one.

I think the children watch rather too much television.

It rather annoyed me that he was late picking me up.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another piece of evidence: The ever-changing ways teams have tried to attack — or, rather, neutralize — Ohtani offensively. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Details are rather scant, but designer Josep Juanpere Miret says the living quarters will complement the yacht’s modern exterior. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2024

Not the dingy kind of dim, rather the cozy kind that invites you to sit down and stay a while. —Philip Freeman, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2024

The vermouth is conscripted only to coat a rather enormous glass and is then tossed away before the gin or vodka, which has been primed with a dash of salt-water solution, is poured. —Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2024

These movies are not simply the biggest-budgeted or most outrageously plotted, but rather works that encapsulate an impulse within the decade to unveil unseen worlds—of the inner and outer varieties—or to explore new emotional territories where the camera had yet to traverse. —Erik Morse, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

However, the rather glaring reality is that more than anything, Black women should experience the luxe Cali destination. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Apr. 2024

Williams points out that antisemitism didn't end in Germany immediately after the Allied victory in World War II but rather took decades of purposeful dialogue, lessons and political will. —Jason Derose, NPR, 23 Apr. 2024

But there can be real appeal to the humblest of materials — and the same can be said of this unpretentious, silly and, in the end, rather fun show. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hrathe quickly; akin to Old High German rado quickly, Old English hræd quick

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rather

• rather than
• sooner rather than later
• the exception rather than the rule
• the rather
• would rather

Kids Definition

rather

adverb

rath·​er ˈrat͟h-ər 

ˈrät͟h-,

ˈrət͟h-

1

: more willingly

would rather stay home

2

: more exactly : more properly

my father, or, rather, my stepfather

3

: instead

was no better but rather grew worse

4

: somewhat entry 2

rather cold today